A Radiologist's Response to “Ethical Concerns Regarding Time-restricted Intussusception Reduction Policies”

Mann et al. discuss “standards of care” as if they were static, constant, and evidence-based. Often, however standards of care are not evidence-based and evolve as new data and information becomes available [1]. Sometimes these changes occur subtly without random controlled trials. A great example is the management of intraperitoneal abscesses. Fifteen to twenty years ago, the standard of care was “never let the sun set on an abscess” and surgeons or interventional radiologists and their associated support teams were often summoned in the middle of the night to drain the abscesses.